CH 132

[Sword Master Alfine and Al]

“I get that King Frederick was in the plaza that became execution site. Then next is, what is this creature called Genocider? Is it different from the Abyss Walkers that Frick-dono defeated in Abyss Hole and the mine?” (Cassandra)

“Well… as you know from the letter from Lloyd-sama, there are Abyss Walkers that are stronger than the ones from the time of the Great Invasion. The monstrosity called Genocider is a specimen whose battle prowess is even stronger than them. Alone, it has the power to incapacitate 30% of Frontier Count-sama’s knights, furthermore, it also has the ability to completely destroy the surroundings in its dying moment.” (Frick)

At my explanation of Genocider’s fighting power, Cassandra’s eyes open wide as though saying ‘how could such a monstrosity possibly exist’.

“Grandmother, what Frick-sama said is not an exaggeration. The deafening explosion sound that sounded earlier is the sound of the explosion that occurred when the Genocider died. Because Frick-sama lifted it pretty high up in the sky, there is no damage in its wake, but I am horrified to imagine what would have happened had it exploded on the ground.” (Noelia))

As Noelia says, had it exploded on the ground, it wouldn’t be strange for the royal capital to have turn into a vacant lot with no buildings left by this time.

If 100 or 200 of those guys appears, it’s highly likely that the number of people that become victims would be incomparable to the time of the Great Invasion.

I shake my head to shake off the worst delusion that came to my mind.

“Haah, my head hurts. Just the existence of the enhanced Abyss Walkers is already a big problem by itself, but to think there’s a specimen that display higher combat power than them… what a grave situation. However, due to the dead of King Frederick, the kingdom is in a state where it can’t function properly.” (Cassandra)

As Cassandra says, the royal capital is currently in uproar due to the death of King Frederick, the person who held the highest authority in the kingdom, and normal state of management can’t be expected.

“From now on, the nobles of the royal palace will most likely be focused on seeking government posts of the new king, and the royal capital will be boisterous for a while. The garrisons will not be able to move unless the superior nobles have been decided, too. And the position of the commander of the Royal Guard Knight Order is vacant with the dead of that brat Gile; we have no choice but to make personal request from the Henestrosa family to the Adventurer’s Guild all over the kingdom to search for Vigo’s whereabouts.” (Cassandra)

I feel like Vigo assassinated King Frederick and Gile in anticipation of this.

Anyways, assuming from the circumstances, he appears to be stalling for time.

He probably wants to start the second Great Invasion while the royal capital and kingdom are in turmoil.

“I apologize, we’re stuck in a situation where we’re unable to move because we fell for the opponent’s scheme.” (Frick)

“No, Frick-dono and the others made a wise decision. Had you poorly kept yourselves hidden and pursue Vigo, you would be viewed as rebels, just as the opponent wished for. However, with the bodies of King Frederick’s, Gile’s, and the Abyss Walker’s, you should be able to explain your innocence to Crown Prince Rodrick through Lloyd, who will arrive soon. Even Boris probably would have never expected Lloyd to rush over with his knight order.” (Cassandra)

Like Cassandra, Noelia had also suggested that, so I believe if we could explain the situation to the next king, Crown Prince Rodrick, through Lloyd, we would be given freedom of action.

“For the time being, I understand the threat of the Genocider and the importance of capturing Vigo. By the way, I cannot see Linus’s body among the recovered bodies, but what happened to him?” (Cassandra)

Being asked about Linus-shi’s body, I’m at a loss as to how to answer for a moment.

How do I explain about what happened at that time, I wonder…

No one at that place thought that Linus-shi would die in that way.

Remembering about the tragedy that took place when Linus-shi bravely tried to rescue King Frederick, I feel it’s hard to open my mouth.

“About that matter, I will explain it. Linus-shishou tried to rescue King Frederick, who got taken hostage by Gile, and was blown up without a trace by the attack of the monstrosity called Genocider, leaving not even bones behind.” (Noelia)

With a pale complexion, Noelia tells her grandmother about the heroic death of Linus-shi, her master in magic.

Although it could be said to be a cruel way to die, Linus-shi himself wished to die at that place for some reason.

Moreover, his disciples, Director Danton and Philia-sensei, said that they had to be punished for their deed; they strongly refused our rescue and wished to be executed there.

“Linus died to rescue King Frederick, huh…… It may had been the last thing he wanted to do as a loyal retainer of King Frederick. To lose a great magic researcher is a huge loss for the kingdom. Still, Gile’s latest action of forcibly eliminating Linus is very abnormal. I wonder what cornered that brat to go that far.” (Cassandra)

“I think Gile had always been afraid of being killed by me, who had escaped from the royal capital and been hiding myself. Perhaps Vigo, who was close to him as his butler, fueled that uneasiness and urged him to do that.” (Alfine)

Cassandra’s question is answered by Alfine, who has changed her appearance to young male adventurer, Al.

“What is your name?” (Cassandra)

“My original name is Alfine. Now it’s Al.” (Alfine)

“You are Sword Master Alfine? That Alfine who was called as the Sword Goddess? I have met her, but she neither had blonde hair nor blue eyes, and I recalled that she wasn’t a man, though!?” (Cassandra)

Cassandra also believes that Alfine, who was officially said to have been executed, is alive, but it seems that her extreme change in appearance is out of her expectation.

“Like Finn, I have changed my name and appearance, and I had been following his footsteps ever since I escaped from the royal capital.” (Alfine)

She has changed so much that even I, who had always been together with her since we were kids, can’t tell unless I look closely.

Loran-san’s skill sure is amazing.

“Grandmother, Al-sama is definitely Alfine-sama. Isn’t that right, Samantha?” (Noelia)

Samantha, who is next to Cassandra, nods silently to Noelia’s question.

“Well, lend me your hand for a second.” (Cassandra)

Cassandra approaches Alfine, who has turned into a blonde blue-eyed young adventurer, and holds her hand.

“Certainly, these sword calluses can only be obtained by those who have practiced the sword. And if my granddaughter and Samantha say so, then you are most likely Sword Master Alfine.” (Cassandra)

“Thank you for believing me.” (Alfine)

“By the way, if you live as Sword Master Alfine, your life will be short, and if you live as Al, although you will go through a difficult path, it seems that you can live a good life.” (Cassandra)

Cassandra, holding Alfine’s hand, seems to have used Future Vision on Alfine.

“Sword Master Alfine has already been executed and deceased. I have already chosen and intend to continue living as the adventurer Al.” (Alfine)

Having heard Cassandra vision of the future, Alfine, without showing agitation, clearly declares that she would live as adventurer Al.

Alfine— what on earth does she mean?

Didn’t she look for me to bring me back?

When she appeared with Cinzia on Dimol, I was so focused on fighting Genocider that I couldn’t ask why she came.

Upon hearing her Alfine’s declaration, Cassandra gently whispers something into her ear.

Alfine then glances at me. When I meet eyes with her, her appearance overlaps with the past her, when she had black hair, making my heart beats faster.

From her eyes that are directed at me, there is no harshness that I used to be familiar with at all.

I can only feel resignation and regret from them.

Unable to understand the meaning of Alfine’s eyes, I turn to Cassandra with eyes pleading for help.

“Well, there are many things that happen in life.” (Cassandra)

After looking at my and Alfine’s faces alternatively, Cassandra makes a convinced face.